JOIN USM L Varchusvin S S Raje Urs, the son of Meenakshi lit the pyre, in keeping with the rituals associated with the royals, at Khas Brindavan popularly known as ‘Madhuvana’, exclusive cremation ground of erstwhile royal family, on Mysuru-Nanjangud road on the outskirts.
The mortal remains was cremated next to the place where her husband M R Lakshmikantharaja Urs was cremated, after his death several years ago.
As women members of the royal family are not allowed to participate in the last rites, only male members of the family and relatives witnessed the ceremony. Earlier, the body placed in a hearse, was brought in a procession from the ancestral bungalow of her late husband in Lakshmipuram to Madhuvana. The procession led by the members of ‘pouju’ a troupe of Amba Vilas Palace, followed by ‘nishaane’ a traditional music troupe of Malavalli Manteswamy Mutt and English band, all dressed in different attire, passed through Vani Vilas road and M G road, before culminating at the cremation ground. As Meenakshi was married to the family of religious heads among the Arasu clan, ‘Nishaane’ (signalling the arrival of procession) troupe was summoned from Malavalli Mutt.
Varchasvin is the incumbent head of the Malavalli Mutt, and is addressed as ‘Malavalli Swami’. He was annointed to the mutt after the death of his father who was holding the same responsiblity.
The body of Meenakshi was brought from Bengaluru to Mysuru on Thursday around 11.30 pm. The mortal remains were kept at ‘Rachappaji Krupe’ bungalow on first main of Lakshmipuram, where the immediate family members and a host of relatives paid their last respects.
Prominent lot
Prominent among the members of erstwhile royal family who paid their last respects were, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, wife of royal scion late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, Meenakshi’s sisters- Kamakshi Devi, Indirakshi Devi and Vishalakshi Devi, brothers-in-law Atmanya Dev and Rajachandra, nephews and nieces, close relatives, Registrar of University of Mysore, Shrijay Devaraj Urs, Administrator of Mysore Race Club Anantharaja Urs, B S Sridhararaje Urs to name a few. Parents of Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar (adopted son of royal scion late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar), Leela and Swarup Anand Gopalraja Urs also paid their last respects.
Meenakshi’s daughter Jayapalashri Anil and son-in-law Anil Ashwath, daughter-in-law Sushma G Vani, and grand children were also present.
Absent few
However, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, could not make it, as he was busy preparing for the exams, where he is currently studying at USA. Chaduranga Kantharaja Urs, the only son of Gayatri Devi, the elder sister of Meenakshi was conspicuous by his absence. Kantharaja Urs is at Indonesia on a vacation, said a relative who did not wished to be named.
DH News Service